This past month, we stumbled upon this great article about what should be included in a bid from a roofing contractor. And it got us thinking: if it’s someone’s first time to contact a roofing company about roof repairs, new siding, or installing new windows, how would someone know what to look for in the bids received from different roofing companies?

You’d Google it, that’s what you’d do. So, we thought we’d share some friendly advice about what to look for in a quality roofing bid...

Roof flashings and possible leaks

In this video, Guy is up on the roof to show two different roof flashings that might be the cause of leaks in your home.

First, we see a plumbing exhaust pipe which runs through this particular house's plumbing and sewer system. There's one noticeable problem with this exhaust pipe: the top has fallen off. Squirrels can be especially pesky culprits for messing with these types of pipes. Guy explains why in the video.

It's winter in Minnesota, which means that just about anything can happen in terms of the weather. Temperatures can drop to rival the North Pole, unexpected warm days will tempt us to believe spring is on its way, or we'll be buried in lots and lots of snow. So far we've had a bit of all three, but who knows what the next few months could bring!

Just in case the snow starts to fly again, here's what you need to know about caring for your roof during the winter months.

How much snow is too much snow for my roof?

Take a look at the ice build up on your roof. How thick is it getting? When it starts to get over four inches thick, you could start to have problems.

The weather these past few Minnesota winters have lent themselves nicely to creating ice dams on homes and commercial buildings alike. All the melting, freezing, melting, re-freezing can really do a number on your roof’s shingles if your house’s insulation is poor.

So How Do Ice Dams Form Anyway?

When there’s a layer of snow sitting on your roof an ice dam is formed when the attic warms up enough to melt the first layer of snow on your roof.

Drip by drip, the water will trickle down between the layer of snow and shingles until it hits the end of your roof. The edge of your roof stays cold because it extends beyond the attic—thus isn’t being warmed from underneath. There you have the gradual forming of nice mound of ice we call an ice dam...

What to do when you find carpenter ants

Are you finding carpenter ants crawling around in or outside your home? Besides from being gross and slightly frightening, these large ants are telling you something very important about the health of your roof.

When you spot carpenter ants lurking around your home there's a good chance your sheeting or siding is getting wet and retaining water. Carpenter ants love to live where it's dark and moist...

Looking for leaks, buckles, and workmanship

When you give Grussing Roofing a call and ask us to come out to give your roof, sidding, gutters, or windows a free inspection, we're looking for all sorts of different things.

For this Minneapolis home, Guy noticed some poor workmanship from the original roofing contractor when they installed the roof back in the 1970s. Some of this poor workmanship has lead to leaks and other damages. You can see for yourself how the shingles are cracking and falling off as well as some buckling in the shingles.

Takes a moment and walk around this roof with Guy.

If you're concerned about your roof or think it might be time to have a roofing contractor take a look—give us at call at 952.935.0557. We're committed to serving the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods with professional and honest roofing advice and services.

Common roofing inspection questions

When Minnesota folks contact us at Grussing Roofing for a free estimate, the most common question we hear is: Will you take a look at my roof? We’re not sure, but it might be time for my roof to be replaced.

To ensure the greater Twin Cities community receives the best professional and honest roofing advice possible, Guy Grussing, the owner of Grussing Roofing, will personally come to your home, climb up on your roof, and take a look around.

Have you ever wondered what a roofing contractor is looking for as they inspect the roof? Here, Guy will show you! To give you an idea, we persuaded Guy to take a short video of a free roof inspection he did a couple weeks ago.

Take a look!

Here are 5 signs that mean it may be time to replace your roof

Marks or indents in the shingles from removing the snow and ice off your roof with a shovel. Often, when home owners remove the snow and ice themselves, this can leave marks and add to the aging of your roof.

Granules from the shingles are falling off

Darkening of the shingles

Nails popping through the shingles

Stress fractures and cracks in the shingles. Stress fractures are caused by previous contractors using too aggressive of a shingle adhesive. When the house moves, the shingle isn’t able to adjust with the house, so this can lead to the shingles to cracking.

Considering this roof's age and the wear and tare it's taken over the years, the best use for this homeowner's money is to get their full roof replaced. There's no use in repairing or patching up certain areas of this roof because enough of it is already in pretty tough shape.

Caring for your roof like a pro

We see this happen all the time: a homeowner pays a good chunk of change for a new roof and then completely and utterly forgets about it. In fact, most homeowners don’t think about the health of their roof until there’s a big problem.

Spring and summer is the best time of year to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape. Since we don’t want you to be one of those “typical” homeowners who never thinks about their roof, we decided to put together a three-step checklist for you. These three easy steps will help you take care of your roof like a pro.

1. Keep an eye on your gutters

During the summer, when gutters become clogged with branches, leafs, or other debris, there's a good chance water will get sent up, under your roof. And while you're up on the ladder checking for debris, take a minute to make sure your gutters are firmly attached to the house, too. It's common for gutters to come a bit loose during a storm. Simply tightening a few gutter bolts can greatly reduce the risk of roof damage. Clogged gutters, during any season, have the potential to cause damage to your roof, so the best option is to simply keep a close eye on your gutters all year 'round.

2. Trim tree branches near your roof

Since we live in the Midwest, we're bound to have a few rough storms throughout the summer season. The best way to proactively protect your roof from storm damage is to prune overgrown trees so they don't present as a potential risk during the next summer storm.

3. Snap a picture

Put that smartphone in your pocket to good use! If you know your roof is in excellent shape, take a few pictures from every angle. Now you have a fool-proof way to keep track of any changes to the health of your roof.

We share this roofing care advice with you because we know if you are able to complete a yearly maintenance check up on your roof, you can really save a good chunk of change.

If you don't feel comfortable climbing up on a ladder and doing this roof inspection yourself, don't hesitate to give us a call, we are more than happy to talk with you about what your roof needs.

Make the most of your new roof

You just got your roof replaced. Now, depending on what roofing material you chose for your roof, a new roof should last your home 20+ years. Our local Minneapolis clients often ask us:

 Are there ways we can help our roof reach it’s maximum lifespan?

We love hearing this question. We always tell folks the best, basic ways to care for their roof (read all about them here), but for you homeowners who are serious about getting your money's worth out of your new roof, here are our top three tips for making your investment in your roof last as long as possible.

1. Check your attic ventilation

Without proper attic ventilation, there's a pretty good chance your roof might start aging prematurely—no one wants that! During our usual hot and humid (and typically mosquito-infested) Minnesotan summers, the temperature in an attic with poor airflow can easily pass the 100-degree mark. Temperatures like this can be brutal for anyone to bear—the same goes for your shingles.

According to The Federal Housing Administration, they recommend a minimum of at least one square foot of attic ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space. For example, if your attic is around 600 square feet, you'll need about two square feet of ventilation.

2. Roofing insulation makes difference

When you think it's hot outside, chances are, the temperature your roof is experiencing is much hotter. When your roof sits cooking in the afternoon, summer sun, the roof transfers radiant heat to objects below, like your attic. Insulation in your roof will not only help keep your entire house cooler, it will also help keep the heat down on the roof, thereby helping the roofing material last longer.

3. Invite a roof professional over

When was the last time you had your roof professionally inspected? To help prolong the life of your roof, mark your calendar, and have your roof professionally inspected every couple of years. Many roofing experts suggestion every two to three years is optimal for maintenance care. When you have your roof inspected every couple of years, you'll have the opportunity to have small roof repairs done, like resealing weak spots or replacing damaged shingles.

Are you living in Minnetonka, Edina, Eden Prairie, St. Paul, or anywhere in between? Don't hesitate to give us a call at 952.935.0557.